Investors looking for an opportunity to join the growing multibillion-dollar global spice sector are being encouraged to explore the local production of ginger, turmeric and pimento. Chief of Party for the Food for Progress Jamaica Spices (JaSpice) Project, Dr. Ronald Blake, said that ginger and turmeric are largely used in both nutraceuticals and pharmaceuticals. “For all three crops, what the...

The Consumer Affairs Commission (CAC) will be launching a new data-collection survey during the forthcoming months. The exercise, which is intended to secure up-to-date information to enhance consumer protection in Jamaica, will be conducted through various channels. These include online platforms, telephone interviews and in-person interactions. CAC Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Dolsie Allen, said the survey is being designed to...

The Jamaica Trade Board Limited has launched a new trading platform that will better enable local manufacturers and exporters to unlock and take advantage of business opportunities across the globe. The online platform, dubbed ‘EXPORT Jamaica’, will provide businesspeople with information to identify and enter new markets and successfully promote and sell their products. Addressing the launch on Wednesday (March...

Amendments to the Dangerous Drugs (Cannabis Licensing) (Interim) Regulations are being finalised. The Regulations will govern the licensing regime for the cultivation, harvesting, processing/manufacturing, transporting and retailing of ganja. Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce, Senator the Hon. Aubyn Hill, provided details while addressing the Standing Finance Committee in the House of Representatives on March 6. “The Regulations are being...

Micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) are being encouraged to apply for support from the Development Bank of Jamaica (DBJ) to innovate their operations. Prime Minister, the Most. Hon. Andrew Holness, in making the call said that the DBJ, through its Boosting Innovation Growth & Entrepreneurship Ecosystem (BIGEE) programme, provides grants to enable entities to integrate technology to grow their...

Some 61 female business owners participated in a workshop staged on Thursday (February 29) under the Women Entrepreneurship Support (WES) Project. The project, spearheaded by the Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce in partnership with the Bureau of Gender Affairs (BGA), was initiated to address the obstacles encountered by female-owned Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). It aims to provide...

The Coconut Industry Board (CIB) is encouraging coconut growers to register with the entity before March 1. Registration is free and enables growers to access benefits such as free seedlings, fertiliser, weed control grant, automatic insurance for trees against windstorm damage, voting rights and advisory services. Speaking with JIS News, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) with the CIB, Shaun Cameron, said...

The Scientific Research Council (SRC) has extended the deadline for entries in the National Young Inventors and Innovators Competition (YIIC) to March 31. Speaking with JIS News recently, Executive Director, Dr. Charah Watson, said the extension was made in the best interest of students who wish to participate. “We launched the competition at the end of November, then students went...

A project to support the improvement of access to finance for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSME) has been given a budgetary allocation of $822 million to continue in the upcoming fiscal year. Details of the undertaking are contained in the 2024/25 Estimates of Expenditure, now before the House of Representatives. The project, which is being implemented by the Development...